By James Slater: While IBF 140-pound champ Zab Judah is of the belief that a fight against WBA ruler Amir Khan would be something of a step backwards for him, Khan has made it clear he has no great desire to get the fight on either. With his big unification match with WBC and WBO light-welterweight champ Tim Bradley now dead in the water (for this summer at least), Khan is in need of a marketable opponent for his July 23rd date in America.
But, in speaking with The Manchester Evening News and Boxing Fixtures, the 24-year-old has shot down the idea of him facing “Super” Judah next.
“Judah is a runner like [Paul] McCloskey,” Khan stated. “I don’t want to fight another runner; I want a guy who comes to fight. Why am I going to fight a guy who is going to run all the way through the fight and not want to get hit? This is boxing, it’s not about running away like McCloskey.”
No doubt Judah and McCloskey will disagree strongly with Khan’s words. However, it is the WBA champion who is in a position to be able to call the shots. As such, Khan will choose his next opponent. A good name will be demanded by Golden Boy, however, and outstanding lightweight talent Robert Guerrero would certainly fit the bill. I have no doubt Guerrero would come to fight. Khan can in no way slap a “runner” tag on “The Ghost.”
Thankfully, Khan seems quite positive about facing the 135-pounder who would be moving up in weight to take the fight. Still, Khan’s preferred fight would be one with Bradley.
“I want Bradley but he’s running scared,” he claimed. “We offered him his biggest payday yet: $1.4 million, but he just isn’t taking it. I just have to move on and fight somebody else. We asked [Erik] Morales but he didn’t want the fight. We asked Juan Manuel Marquez, but he was holding out for a fight with Manny Pacquiao; which he got. And Guerrero and Judah’s names have come up. For me Guerrero is a better fight than Judah because Zab’s a runner.”
I’m pretty sure fans will be happy enough if it is the gifted Guerrero who lands the July date with Khan. Massive for a lightweight, it’s probable the once-beaten southpaw will be able to fight very effectively as a 140-pounder. A very dangerous fight for Khan in my opinion, a defence against the 28-year-old from California is in no way an easy fight for the Brit.
As for Morales; I find it hard to believe “El Terrible” would choose to duck or avoid Khan. The Mexican legend is due back in the ring as the headliner in Las Vegas on July 30th. Of the names mentioned as possibilities, Morales wants most a return with Marcos Maidana. Unfinished business for Morales, and the real reason he is currently uninterested in a fight with Khan.
Bring on Khan-Guerrero!